Bigger recycling bins for York City

Larger recycling bins will begin arriving on York City doorsteps this week.

A $230,000 grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection has allowed the city to buy about 15,000 32-gallon bins and 5,000 24-gallon bins. Officials hope the bins inspire residents and businesses to recycle more.

That's important for the city's bottom line because the city pays trash haulers by the ton to dump waste in landfills. The more residents and businesses recycle, the less the city pays for trash disposal.

York Waste began distributing the new containers to curbside customers Wednesday. That process will continue over the next several months, according to a news release from the city.

Customers may continue using their old recycling containers, most of which hold 24 gallons.

To discard an old bin, tape a large note on the container indicating it is trash and place the container at the pick-up point.

Every ton of material removed from the waste stream saves the city $56, public works director Jim Gross has said.

The city spends about $1 million per year on trash disposal.

Questions should be directed to the city's public works department at (717) 849-2245.